Chapter 4 Close Encounter #2
She reached for his shirt, fumbling with the buttons, frustration building as they refused to cooperate. Nick smirked—just barely—before gripping the back of his collar and tearing it off in one fluid motion, baring hard muscle, inked lines, and heat.
Her breath caught.
She’d expected strength. Expected control.
But she hadn’t expected this.
The raw, unfiltered hunger in his gaze. The way his jaw flexed, like he was barely holding himself back.
Nick’s hands framed her face, his thumbs brushing her cheekbones before tilting her head back. His mouth found her throat, teeth scraping, lips soothing, tongue teasing.
Celeste gasped. Her nails dug into his shoulders as heat coiled low, spreading like wildfire.
Nick's fingers trailed down her spine, his touch slow, deliberate, igniting shivers along her skin. When he reached the clasp of her lingerie, he hesitated, giving her one last out.
She met his gaze, bold, unafraid.
“Nick.”
That was all it took.
The lace joined the dress on the floor.
Nick’s hands mapped every inch of her, reverent yet possessive, like he needed to commit her to memory.
Celeste shivered, her body on fire beneath his touch. She ran her hands over the hard planes of his chest, feeling the tension coiled in his muscles.
Nick caught her wrist, his lips curving in a wicked smirk. “Slow down, baby.”
She exhaled sharply. “Don’t tell me to slow down.”
Nick chuckled darkly before capturing her mouth again, kissing her deep, his tongue sliding against hers in a way that made her toes curl. He guided her backward until the backs of her knees hit the edge of the bed. Before she could react, he lifted her effortlessly, settling her beneath him.
His mouth traced a path down her throat, across her collarbone, and lower still.
His tongue flicked over one peaked nipple before he took it fully into his mouth, sucking gently.
Celeste gasped, arching into him, fingers digging into his shoulders.
His hand slid between her thighs, parting them, teasing her with slow strokes that had her squirming.
She was already wet for him, her body betraying just how much she wanted this.
“Nick,” she breathed, her voice a plea.
He groaned against her skin, fingers sliding into her heat, teasing, stroking, coaxing moans from her lips. “Damn, Celeste,” he muttered. “You’re soaked for me.”
She whimpered, hips bucking into his hand. “More.”
Nick didn’t make her wait.
He lowered himself between her thighs, his mouth replacing his fingers, his tongue swirling over her most sensitive spot before plunging deep.
Celeste cried out, her head falling back against the cushions as pleasure crashed through her.
Nick held her down, taking his time, licking and sucking until she was writhing beneath him.
She shattered with a broken moan, her entire body trembling as she came apart in his hands.
Nick climbed back up her body, his cock heavy and thick against her thigh, already pulsing with need. “You taste like fucking heaven,” he growled against her lips.
Celeste was still breathless, still trembling, but she wasn’t done. She reached between them, wrapping her fingers around his length, stroking him slowly and deliberate.
Nick groaned, his forehead pressing against hers. “You’re killing me.”
She smiled wickedly. “Then let’s make it worth your while.”
She guided him to her entrance, her legs wrapping around his hips, pulling him closer. Nick positioned himself, the thick head of his cock pressing against her slick, heated pussy lips.
He paused, his eyes locking onto hers. “Tell me, is this what you want?”
She cupped his face, breathless. “Yes, I want this, I want you, Nick.”
That was all it took.
He surged forward, filling her in one deep thrust, stretching her, claiming her. Celeste gasped, nails biting into his back as he drove himself deeper, groaning at the tightness gripping him.
“Fuck,” he muttered, jaw clenched. “You feel incredible.”
He moved, slow at first, letting her adjust, letting her feel every inch of him. But the restraint didn’t last long. Celeste met his thrusts, her body arching, taking him deeper, her moans turning desperate.
Nick gritted his teeth, his rhythm quickening. He took her hands, pinning them above her head, his body pressing her into the bed, his hips driving into hers with measured, possessive strokes.
Celeste moaned his name, over and over, the pleasure building, coiling tight inside her.
Nick bent, pressing his forehead against hers. “Cum for me, Celeste,” he ordered, his voice rough with need.
Celeste shattered around him, pleasure consuming her in waves, her body clenching tight around his cock. The sensation dragged him over the edge with her, a guttural groan tearing from his throat as he thrust deep one last time, spilling into her with a fierce intensity.
They stayed like that, breathless, tangled together, bodies slick with sweat.
Nick brushed a strand of hair from her face, his thumb tracing her swollen lips. “Not a mistake,” he murmured.
Celeste’s lips curved. “No,” she agreed. “Not even close.”
It wasn’t reckless.
It wasn’t meaningless.
It was slow. Intentional. A claiming neither of them saw coming.
But before either of them could catch their breath—
A sharp chime cut through the air.
Nick cursed, pressing his forehead to hers as he reached for his phone. “This better be good.”
Graham’s voice crackled through the line. “Malone, she’s not safe.”
Nick stilled. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“We traced a security breach.” Graham’s tone was tight. “Celeste’s penthouse. Someone was inside while you were gone.”
Celeste’s blood ran cold.
Nick was already moving. He grabbed his gun from the holster, his entire body tense as he scanned the darkened apartment.
Then he saw it.
The bouquet.
Deep red roses sat in a crystal vase, a note propped against them.
Nick reached for it, his stomach twisting as he read the words:
“Sweet dreams, Celeste. I’ll be seeing you soon.”
Celeste swayed on her feet, but Nick caught her before she could stumble. His grip was ironclad, his voice dark with promise.
"Not on my watch," he murmured. Then his gaze lifted, sharp and unrelenting. "Because the next time Adrian Wolfe comes near you—it’ll be the last."